Mushroom Permits

The collection of mushrooms for personal or commercial use inside fire closures is not allowed. Call a local ranger station for the most up-to-date information. 

All Edible Mushroom Species (Except Matsutake)

No permit or fee is required for quantities less than one gallon (per person, per day) unless you are collecting matsutakes. If collecting more than a gallon - even if only for personal use - a permit is required. Mushrooms gathered under incidental harvest are for personal use only and all mushrooms collected must be cut in half.

Everyone must have a valid permit (be 18 years or older), and have a harvest area map in their possession to gather, transport or sell mushrooms gathered on participating National Forests. A mushroom permit issued from any of the following four forests is valid on all four forests. Obtain the permit from the office closest to where you plan to harvest. Permits can be purchased using cash, check or credit card.

• Deschutes National Forest
• Fremont-Winema National Forest
• Umpqua National Forest
• Willamette National Forest

*All species of incidental and free use mushrooms will be cut in half lengthwise, stem through cap, and both halves separated at the time of harvest. Selling or exchanging mushrooms gathered incidentally or under a free use permit is a violation of Federal Regulations (Title 36 CFR 261.6F), punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.

**Prices may vary by year or by forest. Please contact your local ranger station to confirm.

Commercial Permits

Mushrooms collected for the purpose of selling require the purchase of a commercial use permit. Commercial permits (for mushrooms other than matsutakes) are available throughout the year. Permits can be purchased using cash, check or credit card.

Regulations

On the Willamette National Forest, four additional regulations apply: 

1. At least one-third of the mushroom caps on the collection area (of the same species as being collected) should be left intact to release spores (Forest-wide Standard and Guideline FW-337)
2. No harvest of rare truffles or mushrooms is allowed
3. The soil immediately around the fungi should not be disturbed by raking, digging or hoeing, except to uncover truffles at the soil surface (FW-337), and 4) to protect rare “survey and manage” species, no commercial collection of mushrooms or truffles will be allowed in Late Successional Reserves and no harvest within riparian areas (any stream, ponds or wet areas).

Written permission is required to camp on any National Forest while harvesting mushrooms commercially and will be allowed only in areas designated by the Forest Service. Camping capacity may be limited and a fee may be charged.

People wishing to operate buying stations on National Forest Land must obtain a permit. Check with a local Ranger District Office for permit information as not all Districts allow buyers on National Forest Land.

Matsutake Mushroom Information

The Matsutake mushroom season starts the day after Labor Day each year and lasts for 60 calendar days.

Free collection of Matsutake mushrooms is not permitted in all four participating forests (Deschutes, Fremont-Winema, Umpqua, & Willamette National Forests). Harvesters wishing to gather Matsutake mushrooms must obtain a day-use permit (minimum of 3 days, not required to be consecutive), a half-season permit, or a full-season permit for their activities.

A Commercial Permit must be purchased for the picking of any Matsutake mushroom on National Forests that are harvested for resale. Harvester must be 18 years or older to purchase a permit. 

Everyone must have a valid permit (be 18 years or older) and have a harvest area map in their possession to gather, transport or sell mushrooms gathered on participating National Forests. Obtain the permit from the office closest to where you plan to harvest - see ranger station locations. Permits can be purchased using cash, check, or credit card. All tools for matsutake harvest will not exceed 1" (one inch) wide and 18" (eighteen inches) long; raking or other ground disturbance is prohibited.
 

*Prices and season dates may vary by year or by forest. Please contact your local ranger station to confirm.

Regulations

On the Willamette National Forest, three additional regulations apply: 

1. At least one-third of the mushroom caps on the collection area (of the same species as being collected) should be left intact to release spores (FW-337)
2. No harvest of truffles or rare mushrooms is permitted
3. No commercial collection of mushrooms will be allowed in Late Successional Reserves and no harvest within riparian areas (any stream [Class 1 thru 4), ponds or wet areas).

Written permission is required to camp on any National Forest while harvesting mushrooms commercially and will be allowed only in areas designated by the Forest Service. Camping capacity may be limited and a fee may be charged.

People wishing to operate buying stations on National Forest Land must obtain a permit. Check with a local Ranger District Office for permit information as not all districts allow buyers on National Forest land.

Mushroom Etiquette

• Tread lightly while searching for mushrooms
• Replace soil disturbed while collecting
• No raking or digging with shovels
• Collect mushrooms only in permissible areas
• Harvesting mushrooms is not permitted in the following designated sensitive areas: Wilderness areas, botanical areas, scenic areas, research natural areas, and national volcanic monument areas.
• Motorized travel for the purpose of mushroom collection must comply with roads depicted as open on the respective mushroom maps and Motor Vehicle Use Maps.

WARNING: Many edible mushrooms have poisonous look-a-likes. Be certain of what you’re picking before consuming.